Abstract

Catullus, Carmina, with the commentary of Alessandro Guarini (1486-1556).

Pr. Georgius de Rusconibus, Venice, 11 May 1521.

The commentary is actually by Battista Guarini (d. 1513), revised by his son. The opening shows the characteristic page-format: the text of Catullus is in the middle, surrounded by the commentary, with further referencing in the margin. This format was adopted from the familiar one used, from the 13th cent. on, in manuscripts containing texts of canon and civil law with commentary. Note that everything is printed in italics, a typeface deriving from the cursive script adopted by Italian humanists of the 15th century, extensively used for printed classical texts. The book contains a lengthy errata section at the end, with the stern heading ‘[Mistakes] admitted by the printer’s carelessness are listed hereunder’.

Acquired by R. L. Dunbabin, first Professor of Classics at the University of Tasmania, 8 Feb. 1937 from the bookseller B. H. Blackwell, Oxford; given by him to the University Library in 1940.